The fire began to build in his throat, glowing orange beneath his scales, his chest expanding slowly like a forge being stoked.
His eyes never left her.
I didn’t think.
I ran.
Straight through the stunned circle of cadets, past the fallen blades and overturned banners, toward Elara and the woman still holding her. The heat was already rising as I skidded to a stop between them, the air burning against my skin as I threw out a hand.
“Let her go,” I warned, my voice icy. “Or burn.”
Inderia’s eyes widened, her grip faltering for half a second.
That was all it took.
Elara twisted free and threw herself into my arms, sobbing. I held her tight, shielding her as Siergen took another step, the fire now visible, curling like sunlit smoke up his throat.
Inderia stumbled back, her lips twisting with indignation, but this time, she retreated.
The crowd was still watching.
Stormforge. Thrall. Even Crownwatch.
And for the first time…
No one moved to defend her.
Siergen’s fire dimmed, but his eyes never did.
Because a warning had been delivered.
And next time… he wouldn’t stop at growling.
Theron stepped forward. There was a trickle of hesitation, then a ripple of stillness across the entire Ascension Grounds.
Iron Fang and Stormforge had halted mid-blow. Crownwatch cadets froze, their swords half-raised. Even Warborn, usually neutral and quiet, turned with narrowed eyes. The air vibrated with tension, but no one moved.
Because all eyes were on Theron, and the blazing red dragon in his path.
Siergen.
The crimson courier stood motionless, the fire in his throat still glowing, his gaze locked on Inderia like a judgment written in flame. Elara trembled in my arms, her fingers clutched me tightly, as I held her protectively.
Theron sneered, stopping just short of Siergen’s massive claw. “Leave this place,beast,” he spat, voice dripping with fury. “Or I’ll have yourheadmounted on my bedroom wall.”
The silence that followed wasn’t just stunned.
It was shattered.
Even the air seemed to recoil.
I heard someone gasp. A blade dropped behind me, clattering against stone. Riders turned, disbelief carved into their faces.
Even Theron’s own supporters looked sick. A few stepped back, glancing uneasily at each other like they couldn’t believe what they’d just heard. Like maybe they’d chosen the wrong side.
Remy stepped forward before I could, his voice quiet but clear across the courtyard.
“You’ve made a grave mistake,” he said, his tone stripped of sarcasm. “That dragon is honored by his kind, and has more fire than your guards can handle.”
